2018 to bring free trade negotiations with China

Panama aims to start negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with China in the second half of 2018.

The Minister of Commerce and Industries, Augusto Arosemena, confirmed that both countries were interested in starting negotiations.

China’s Trade Minister, Zhong Shan, will visit Panama in the first week of December, China will start the feasibility study to establish an FTA between the two countries, a stage that is part of the process after the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Arosemena stressed that in the negotiation of the FTA, Panama will protect certain products such as chicken, potatoes, rice, milk and other items, as well as the 56 professions that are reserved for Panamanian citizens.